Method and System for Representing an Exploration of Resources Over a Communication Network

Abstract

In particular embodiments, a system and method for representing an exploration of resources over a communication network is disclosed. According to the embodiments, if a search query representing a target resource locator is received from a user, resources having links to the target resource locator are searched. Then, a data structure including a hierarchy of nodes and its graphical representation is generated for representing the resources each having a link to the target resource locator. The graphical representation may include a constellation map including a plurality of planets representing the resources each having a link to the target resource locator. Such data structure and graphical representation may be saved in a database for later retrieval. The system and method provides a user-friendly graphical representation of exploring resources linked to a target resource such as a webpage or a blog site managed by the user.

1 . A method for representing an exploration of resources over a communication network, comprising:
 receiving a search query representing a target resource locator form a user;   searching resources each having a link to the target resource locator; and   generating a data structure including modes representing the resources each having a link to the target resource locator.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 presenting a list of candidate resource locator to the user, wherein the list of candidate resource locators are generated based on the search query; and   selecting one of the candidate resource locators as the target resource locator.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data structure includes a parent node corresponding to the target resource locator and one of more child nodes, which are linked to the parent node, corresponding to the resources each having a link to the target resource locator. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 converting the data structure into a graphical representation of the resources each having a link to the target resource locator wherein the graphical representation includes a constellation map including a plurality of planets representing the child nodes.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the sizes of the planets are proportional to the numbers of links to the target resource locator that corresponding resources have. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the planets are represented using different colors or shapes depending on one or more attributes of the corresponding resources. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the attributes include network domains where the corresponding resources are located, wherein the planets representing the resources located in a same domain are represented using same colors or shapes. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 in response to the user's clicking one of the planets, displaying a content of a resource corresponding to the clicked planet.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 storing the data structure including nodes representing the resources each having a link to the target resource locator.   
   
   
       10 . Logic encoded in one of more tangible media, the logic, when executed, operable to cause one or more processors to:
 receive a search query representing a target resource locator from a user;   search resources each having a link to the target resource locator; and   generate a data structure including nodes representing the resources each having a link to the target resource locator.   
   
   
       11 . A system for representing an exploration of resources over a communication network, comprising:
 a visualization module configured to receive a search query representing a target resource locator from a user; and   a search engine configured to search resources each having a link to the target resource locator,   wherein the visualization module is configured to generate a data structure including nodes representing the resources each having a link to the target resource locator.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a resource locator recommendation module configured to generate a list of candidate resource locators based on the search query and provide the list of candidate resource locators to the visualization module,   wherein if the user selects one of the candidate resource locators as the target resource locator, the visualization module transmits the selected resource locator to the search engine.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the data structure includes a parent node corresponding to the target resource locator and one or more child nodes, which are linked to the parent node, corresponding to the resources each having a link to the target resource locator. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the visualization module is further configured to convert the data structure into a graphical representation of the resources each having a link to the target resource locator, wherein the graphical representation includes a constellation map including a plurality of planets representing the child nodes. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the sizes of the planets are proportional to the numbers of links to the target resource locator that corresponding resources have. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the planets are represented using different colors or shapes depending on one or more attributes of the corresponding resources. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the attributes include network domains where the corresponding resources are located, wherein the planets representing the resources located in a same domain are represented using same colors or shapes. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein in response to the user's clicking one of the planets, the visualization module displays a content of a resource corresponding to the clicked planet. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a database configured to store the data structure including nodes representing the resources each having a link to the target resource locator. _